Scooter storage and carrying backpack

ABSTRACT

A backpack is provided having a rigid back support plate, a rigid bottom support, and a continuous, flexible sidewall extending outward and forming an internal storage volume specifically sized to receive and retain a conventionally available, foldable two-wheeled scooter. A pair of shoulder straps affixed to the back support plate allow for carrying a folded scooter on one&#39;s back in a convenient, efficient and safe manner.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 479,635 filed on Sep. 11, 2000. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to accessories for collapsible scooters and the like and, more particularly, to carrying apparatus specifically adapted to contain and carry a scooter vehicle.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Scooters are becoming the latest fad in our country, following in the footsteps of skateboards, trick bikes, roller blades and the like. In addition to their entertainment value, they are also used for basic transportation needs as well. They can be found on college campuses, business centers, office buildings and the like, due to their small size and ability to transport people quickly and easily from one location to another. Most models of scooters are collapsible in design to allow for ease of storage, but their collapsible design does not allow for ease of transportation. This is a problem since once someone gets to where they are going, such as a classroom, they are forced to carry the scooter under their arm, which can be a bulky as well as a painful ordeal. This also leaves the scooter as an easy target for theft and/or damage as well.

[0006] A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related.

[0007] The following patents disclose a portable, collapsible scooter.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,660 issued in the name of McGreen

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,129 issued in the name of Powell

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,573 issued in the name of Richardson

[0011] The following patents describe a portable, collapsible motorized golf cart.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,267 issued in the name of Tiffany et al.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,695 issued in the name of Piazzi

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,733 issued in the name of Banda discloses a foldable, portable, non-motorized scooter.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,666 issued in the name of Baldoni describes a collapsible motorcycle.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,578 issued in the name of Brandenfels discloses a dismantlable and collapsible utility cart.

[0017] And, U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,501 issued in the name of Duarte describes a collapsible, portable, rider-propelled water scooter.

[0018] Consequently, there exists a need for a means by which scooters can be easily and safely carried, stored and transported when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved carrying device for two-wheeled scooters.

[0020] It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved carrying device for two-wheeled scooters that receives a collapsible scooter for storage and carrying in a convenient manner about one's shoulders, as with an otherwise conventional backpack.

[0021] Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a motor scooter backpack is provided that is a storage and transportation system for two-wheeled scooters. Upon initial observation, it looks remarkably like a small duffel bag or golf club bag. But after closer inspection, the special features to make storing and transporting a two-wheeled scooter can be easily seen. It is provided with an internal hard shell and padding that protects the user from the sharp corners of the scooter when it is carried. A heavy-duty, padded shoulder strap or backpack straps are provided to make carrying the invention and the scooter easier. A vinyl, leather or rubber bottom protects the invention and the scooter if it should be set down, and aids it in maintaining an upright position. A top closure flap with a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro®, is provided to protect the scooter and prevent it from falling out. External pockets and accessories to allow for the transportation of small personal items, water bottles, keys, briefcases and the like are provided as well as storage for a helmet when not in use. A durable nylon or canvas outer shell would be available in multiple colors and styles and could be personalized or monogrammed as well.

[0022] The use of the present invention provides a means for anyone to store and transport a two-wheeled scooter when not in use in a manner which is quick, easy and efficient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0024]FIG. 1 is an exploded upper front perspective view of a scooter storage and carrying backpack 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown used in conjunction with a foldable scooter 12;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a lower front perspective view thereof; and

[0026]FIG. 3 is a lower rear perspective view thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.

[0028] 1. Detailed Description of the Figures

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1-3, a scooter storage and carrying backpack 10 is provided according a preferred embodiment of the present invention, specifically adapted for receiving, storing, and carrying a conventionally available, two-wheeled scooter 12 of the type that is collapsible. A rigid back support plate 14 forms a linearly elongated vertical support for the backpack 10, and is perpendicularly affixed at its lower end to a rigid bottom support plate 16. The bottom support 16 forms rigid horizontal support, and can include a plurality of legs 18 protruding downwardly therefrom to allow the backpack 10 to stand independently upon a flat horizontal surface when not being carried. Extending outward from and connected to the bottom support plate 16 and back support plate 14 is a continuous, flexible sidewall 22 forming a frontwall 22 a parallel to the back support plate 14 and pair of generally parallel sides 22 a separating the back support plate 14 from the frontwall 22 a such as to form an internal storage volume 24 specifically sized to receive and retain a conventionally available, foldable two-wheeled scooter 12. Although exact sized may vary depending upon specific manufacturing configuration, it is anticipated that such a conventionally available, foldable two-wheeled scooter 12 when folded can be retained within a volume of approximately seven inches (7″) wide by five inches (5″) deep by between twenty four inches (24″) to thirty inches (30″) high; therefore, the internal storage volume 24 is anticipated as being approximately equal to these dimensions as well.

[0030] For purposes of transporting the scooter storage and carrying backpack 10, three separate means have been envisioned. First, rigidly affixed to and extending from the back support plate 14 at its upper edge extends a hand carrying strap 26 that allows the weight and girth of the backpack 10 to be easily carried at a user's side. As such, it is anticipated that the carrying strap 26 would be affixed to the back support plate 14 at positions equidistant from the vertical centerline of the back support plate 14 and outwardly disposed from the vertical centerline as well. In this manner, the backpack 10 should feel easily balanced about the carrying strap 26. Additionally, a pair of linearly elongated and linearly adjustable shoulder straps 30, affixed to the back support plate 14 at their upper end near the uppermost portion of the back support plate 14, and affixed to the back support plate 14 at their lower end near the lowermost portion of the back support plate 14. In this manner, the backpack 10 should feel easily balanced about the shoulder straps 30 about a user's shoulders. It is envisioned that each shoulder strap 30 would include an adjustment means 32 for adapting the linear length of each strap 30 such as to allow for adjustability of size to accommodate different users. Further, it is envisioned that each shoulder strap 30 would include padding 34 for increased comfort of the users.

[0031] A third means of transportation utilizes the handle 31 on the side, enabling the user to carry the backpack 10 in a horizontal position. Such a transverse carry position enables the elongated load to be carried by hand, or over one shoulder laterally perpendicular to the body, in a manner that does not result in ground impingement interference for the user. This is important due to the vertically elongated nature of the load, as well as the limited vertical distance available between a typical users hand and the ground.

[0032] Finally, a top closure flap 36 with a hook and loop fastener 38 is provided to protect and retain the scooter 12 and prevent it from falling out. Optionally, other external pockets and accessories to can be provided to allow for the transportation of small personal items, water bottles, keys, briefcases and the like are provided as well. These include a water bottle retaining pocket 40, a snap retained attachment ring 42, or a general purpose storage pocket 44 having a slide fastener 45 for accessing or closing the storage pocket 44, or providing an affixment point to which a bicycle helmet may be attached.

[0033] 2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

[0034] In operation, the present invention is specifically adapted for retaining and carrying a conventionally available, foldable two-wheeled scooter 12. With the scooter in a folded condition, it can be retained within the internal volume 24. The rigid surface provided by the back support plate 14 protects the user and others from the sharp corners of the scooter 12 when it is carried. Additional padding can be affixed to the inner surface of the back support plate 14 in order to provide cushioning and prevent damage or movement of the scooter 12 as well. The shoulder straps 30 are provided to make carrying the invention and the scooter easier, thus allowing one's hands to be free. The rigid bottom support plate 16 protects the backpack 10 and the scooter 12 if it should be set down, and aids it in maintaining an upright position. A top closure flap 30 with a hook and loop fastener 38 is provided to protect the scooter and prevent it from falling out.

[0035] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A backpack comprising: a rigid back support plate forms a linearly elongated vertical support and having a lower end, and upper end, and a vertical centerline along the vertically elongated midline; a rigid bottom support perpendicularly affixed at said lower end of said back support plate; a continuous, flexible sidewall extending outward from and connected to said bottom support plate and said back support plate, thereby forming a frontwall parallel to said back support plate and pair of generally parallel sides separating said back support plate from said frontwall such as to form an internal storage volume, wherein said internal storage volume is specifically sized to receive and retain a conventionally available, foldable two-wheeled scooter.
 2. The scooter of claim 1, wherein said internal storage volume is at least seven inches (7″) wide by five inches (5″) deep by between twenty four inches (24″) high.
 3. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of legs extending downward from said rigid bottom support plate.
 4. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising: a hand carrying strap rigidly affixed to and extending from said back support plate at its upper edge.
 5. The backpack of claim 4, wherein said strap is affixed to said back support plate at positions equidistant from the vertical centerline of the back support plate and outwardly disposed from the vertical centerline.
 6. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising a pair of linearly elongated and linearly adjustable shoulder straps affixed to the back support plate at their upper end near an uppermost portion of the back support plate, and affixed to said back support plate at a lower end near the lowermost portion of the back support plate.
 7. The backpack of claim 6, wherein said shoulder strap further comprise an adjustment means for adapting a linear length of each said strap such as to allow for adjustability of size to accommodate different users.
 8. The backpack of claim 7, wherein each shoulder strap further comprises padding along an internal surface for increased comfort of the users.
 9. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising a top closure flap with a hook and loop fastener for closing said internal volume.
 10. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising a transportation handle laterally affixed to one said generally parallel sides, whereby said transportation handle can accommodate a transverse carry position.
 11. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising a water bottle retaining pocket affixed to said flexible sidewall.
 12. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising a snap retained attachment ring affixed to said flexible sidewall.
 13. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising a storage pocket affixed to said flexible sidewall and having a slide fastener for accessing or closing said storage pocket. 